So Disappointed!

I think it would be great if people could point out the names of schools where such questionable-looking positive reviews have been made. That sort of information would be a really helpful addition to DegreeInfo. (It would also be great, Dr. Lady, if you could PM me the sites where these reviews appear... we may do an article on that subject sometime soon.)

Given some of the shady stuff I've seen (and some of the shady stuff we've heard from advertising brokers for schools trying to get us to work with them) it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. While I don't think that all for-profits are suspect or shady, I suspect that these sort of issues are more likely found in the for-profit world than in the non-profit world, if for no other reason than the nonprofits are less likely to have extra cash to throw around to buy astroturfed reviews.

 

Hi Chip! Thanks for looking into this. These review sites are pretty easy to find. I'm going to refrain from sending you anything though as I don't want to be in an awkward situation 'ratting out' any of my peer organizations. I'm sure you understand this and agree with it.

However, having said that I applaud an independent review of the practice and even a watchdog list, or something public, examining a schools marketing practices. Everything in education is about self regulation, when self regulation fails it is appropriate to hold institutions accountable and identify the issues, as long as it is done objectively and independently without outside (or financial) motive.

DEL